Meaning of the ‘School of Criminology’

Edwin Sutherland pointed out that a school of criminology connotes “the system

of thought which consists of an integrated theory of causation of crime and of

policies of control implied in the theory of causation”. Therefore, a school of

criminology implies the following three important points:

1. The adherents of each school try to explain the causation of crime and criminal

behavior in their own way relying on the theory propounded by the exponent of

that particular school.

2. Each school of criminology suggests punishment and preventive measures to

suit its ideology.

3. And, each of the school represents the social attitude of people towards crime

and criminal in a given time.

In an attempt to find a rational explanation of crime, a large number of theories

have been propounded. Various factors such as evil spirit, sin, disease, heredity,

economic maladjustment etc. have been put forward either singly or together to

explain criminality.

With the advance of behavioral sciences, monogenetic explanation of human

conduct is no longer valid and the modern trend is to adopt an eclectic view about
the genesis (the beginning or origin) of crime. However, some criminologists still

tend to lay greater emphasis on physical traits in order to justify exclusive resort to

correctional methods for the treatment of offender.

Pre-Classical School of Criminology

 The period of seventeenth and eighteenth century in Europe was dominated

by the scholasticism of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

 The dominance of religion in State activities was the chief characteristic of

that time.

 In political sphere, Hobbes and Locke –social contract as the basis of social

evolution.

 The concept of Divine right of king advocating supremacy of monarch was

held in great esteem.

 As scientific knowledge was yet unknown the concept of crime was rather

vague and obscure.

 There was a general belief that man by nature is simple and his actions are

controlled by some super power.

 It was generally believed that a man commits crime due to the influence of

some external spirit called ‘demon’ or ‘devil’.

 Thus an offender commits a wrongful act not because of his own free will

but due to the influence of some external super power. No attempt was,

however, made to probe into the real causes of crime.

 This demonological theory of criminality propounded by the exponents of

pre- classical school acknowledged the omnipotence (having total owe or

able to do anything) of spirit, which they regarded as a great power.

 The pre-classicals considered crime and criminals as an evidence of the fact

that the individual was possessed of devil or demon the only cure for which

was testimony of the effectiveness of the spirit.

 Worships, sacrifices and ordeals by water and fire were usually prescribed to

specify the spirit and relieve the victim from its evil influence.